Theresa May warns Russia over election meddling and vows to protect UK

'Theresa May will issue a stern warning to Russia over attempts to “threaten international order” in a speech condemning its alleged meddling in elections and campaign of cyber espionage.

In some of her strongest words yet, the Prime Minister will say the UK would do “what is necessary to protect ourselves” and allies from disruption from Moscow, urging President Vladimir Putin to step back from efforts to “weaponise information” through fake news, hacking and electoral interference.

The comments will put her at odds with President Donald Trump, who has ought to downplay claims of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign by insisting that President Putin was telling the truth when he denied meddling in the US election.

Ms May, in a speech to the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in London, will say: "In a recent speech President Putin said that while the interests of states do not always coincide, strategic gains cannot be made at the expense of others. When a state fails to observe universal rules of conduct and pursues its interests at any cost, it will provoke resistance and disputes will become unpredictable and dangerous.'